“The word kind of travels in the community. My associates are part of the community and once they get excited, it just starts spreading. You have angels coming out of nowhere to help.”

Mitchell Ruff, Walmart store manager

Walmart's layaway program will run until Dec. 13. Kmart's layaway program is available to customers during the holidays and year-round.

Spreading goodwill

The media isn't the only one promoting the idea of paying for a stranger's Christmas. The blogosphere has added its voice to the phenomenon as well.

It started with a desire to help others. Rants from Mommyland bloggers, Julianna W. Miner, Claire Goss and Kristin Wilson Keppler, who blog under the pseudonyms Lydia, Guru and Kate respectively, were unable to comment on this story, but shared a blog post earlier this month about their plans to pay off layaway accounts anonymously.

"This time of year, I've always enjoyed hearing about people who go to places like Walmart and Toys R Us and pay off the layaways of total strangers. I mentioned it to Kate and Guru, who enthusiastically agreed that we should give it a try. While wearing elf hats," Lydia posted.

Included with her invitation to her readers to participate in holiday giving are some tips for paying off a stranger's layaway account.

"Pick a time when you know the store will not be crowded. You can't expect a customer service representative to work with you in this if they're swamped," according to the blog. "If when you get there the customer service person seems annoyed by you or doesn't get it, talk to someone else, come back later, or got to another store. Don't get upset, just roll with it."

Popular Comments

The theory of Saint NicklesGood people give good gifts. The ultamet gift
is your presents. You become immortal by how long your presents is appreciated
after you've left. The difference between mortals and immortals, is reason.
The reason
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7:53 a.m. Dec. 12, 2013

Top comment

george of the jungle

goshen, UT

P S It's how Jesus will save the world. Hear comes the Sun.

8:01 a.m. Dec. 12, 2013

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insomniac

BETHESDA, MD

I did this last year. I called a Walmart in an economically depressed area. My
suggestion is to not pay the entire balance, but pay it down to about $5
remaining. That way the layaway can still stay at the store until the person
comes back to pay
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